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News and notes for Berkshire County learners

Posted:
12/04/2012 02:28:29 AM EST

Updated:
12/04/2012 02:30:19 AM EST

Holiday show auditions: Minerva Arts Center in North Adams will host auditions this week for its third annual Holiday Showcase. All types of performers of all ages are encouraged to audition, especially if their act highlights any number of world religions and the upcoming holiday season..

Auditions are today, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Thursday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All auditions will be held in the Youth Chapel at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown, 906 Main St.

Performances will be Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 18 and 19, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

Parent forum: The Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Berkshire Resources for Integra tion of Diverse Groups and Educa tion (BRIDGE), Community Health Programs, South Berkshire Community Coalition and the Berkshire South Regional Com munity Center invite parents and community members to attend its second monthly educational forum. December's topic is "Main taining and Expanding a Passion for Learning."

The forum will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 8:30 p.m., and again on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m., in the Monument Valley Re gional Middle School Student Center in Great Barrington. Se habla español. Information: Email

org'>mary.berle@bhrsd.org.

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Art show: Katherine Smith will present a thesis exhibition of original painting on Saturday with a reception beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon's Rock, 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington. Refreshments will be served at the event. The paintings will be on display through Dec. 14. This event is free and open to the public.

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'Aquarium Adventures': This and every Friday at 11 a.m., Berkshire Museum presents Aquarium Adventures. Toddlers (ages 2 to 4) and their caregivers can visit the aquarium and enjoy a story, meet an animal and do an animal-themed art project.

Berkshire Museum is at 39 South St., Pittsfield. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Information: www.berkshiremuseum.org or (413) 443-7171. Museum admission is $13 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and free for museum members and children ages 3 and younger.

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'Family Chanukkah Concerts': The PJ Library, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation invite the community to two Family Chanukkah Concerts, featuring Felicia Sloin, on Sunday, at 11:30 a.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington and at 3 p.m. at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough at the open court near Macy's department store.

In lieu of paid admission, a suggested donation of new set of children's pajamas will be accepted and donated to the state Dept. of Children and Families' Berkshire County office.

Information about the PJ Library or the concert: Susan Frisch Lehrer, PJ Library coordinator at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, (413) 442-4360, Ext. 14 or jfb.volunteer@verizon.net.

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